Luke 2:21

“Jesus' circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 2:21.

Having related our Lord’s nativity, the Evangelist adds, And after that eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child.

Who is this Child, but He of whom it was said, Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given? (Is. 9:6, Gal. 4:5.) For He was made under the law, that He might redeem them who were under the law.

Now the followers of Ebion and Cerinthus say e, “It is enough for a disciple if he be as his Master. But Christ circumcised Himself. Be thou therefore circumcised.” But herein do they deceive themselves, destroying…

As we have died with Him at His death, and risen together with Him at His resurrection, so with Him have we been circumcised, and therefore need not now circumcision in the flesh.

Christ was circumcised for several reasons. First indeed to shew the reality of His flesh, in opposition to Manichæus f and those who say that He came forth in appearance only. Secondly, that He might prove that His…

He was circumcised also that He might enjoin upon us by His example the virtue of obedience, and might take compassion on them who being placed under the law, were unable to bear the burdens of the law, to the end…

For circumcision expressed nothing else, but the stripping off of the old birth, seeing that part was circumcised which caused the birth of the body. And thus it was done at that time as a sign of the future baptism…

It was the custom on the eighth day to perform the circumcision of the flesh. For on the eighth day Christ rose from the dead, and conveyed to us a spiritual circumcision, saying, Go and teach all nations, baptizing…

Now in His resurrection was prefigured the resurrection of each of us both in the flesh and the Spirit, for Christ has taught us by being circumcised that our nature must both now in itself be purged from the stain…

But according to the command of the law, on the same day He received the imposition of a name, as it follows, His name was called Jesus, which is interpreted Saviour. For He was brought forth for the salvation of the…

That upon the day of His circumcision He also received the imposition of the name was likewise done in imitation of the old observances. For Abraham, who received the first sacrament (Gen. 17:5.) of circumcision, was…

But the name of Jesus, a glorious name and worthy of all honour, a name which is above every other, ought not first to be uttered by men, nor by them be brought into the world. Therefore significantly the Evangelist…

Of this name the elect also in their spiritual circumcision rejoice to be partakers, that as from Christ they are called Christians, so also from the Saviour they may be called saved, which title was given them of…

Cited together in Catechism §527.

Cited together in Ambrose of Milan on Luke 2:21 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Catechism §527 and 1 other place.

Cited together in Catechism §527.

Cited together in Catechism §527.

Cited together in Bede on Luke 2:21 (4) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Ambrose of Milan on Luke 2:21 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 2:21 (Catena Aurea).